Launch Reports
Remember that day you launched that four motor cluster? Nah, me neither. That’s why Jeff Coons (and friends) have this page, to remind us of all the great launches we’ve had!
April 28th Dawsonville Launch Event Report
At the April 28th Dawsonville Launch event we were welcomed with fair skies, pleasant temperatures, but still bothered at times by some challenging breezes from the northwest. Despite the wind-factor, the day provided sixteen participants with some great rocketry moments during the forty-seven launches that were accomplished.
Throughout the day there were many rockets placed out on the pads that exhibited great craftsmanship and creativity. Standouts were David Cain’s Madcow Rocketry Honest John that he modified with beautiful scale details (3D printed) and flown with a G64, and Allen Isdell’s Estes V2 with its striking Dr. Pepper paint scheme. There were also some unique models like Mike Huggins’ Quest Orion Recovery Vehicle and the return of Jose Morales scratch-built and gas stabilized ‘I Got Gas’ that had improved flight characteristics from his last attempt.
For other thrilling mid-power flights, we had Katie’s LOC Iris flown with a G61-W and Allen’s LOC-IV also powered by a G61-W.
Here are some photos from the event.
Motor Ignition counts:
- A – 6
- B – 9
- C – 10
- D – 6
- E – 8
- F – 5
- G – 4
April 14th Mill Springs Launch Report
For the April 14th Mill Spring launch event we had twenty-two participants launch seventy-six rockets, saucers, and a robot. Weather-wise we had pleasant temperatures but gusty winds coming in from the south creating a bit of a challenge. To overcome the challenge most adapted with streamers and lower altitudes with excellent results.
Herb Howe returned with his saucer invasion (another good windy day option) which included two awesome flights of his Art Applewhite Delta Saucer on a F15-0. We were also intrigued and amazed by a unique proof of concept design by Jose Morales, his ‘I got Gass’ launched with a D12-5. This was a gas-stabilized rocket with no fins (picture) that left the launch pad straight and true initially, then began to lose stability once vent holes began to burn through (well, that’s one theory).
David Cain launched his Semroc Little Joe II on a B6-4 which was quite successful, though a shorter delay would have avoided a few tense seconds. Also notable was the Estes A.R.V. Condor launched on a B6-4 by Marcus. The two parasitic gliders performed very well and received much applause at touchdown. Hunter successfully flew and recovered his Estes two-stage Solar Flare with a B6-0 booster and A10-3T sustainer. Many other great flights! Event Photos.
Motor Ignition counts:
- 1/2A – 3
- A – 29
- B – 24
- C – 14
- D – 6
- E – 1
- F – 2
March 24th Dawsonville Launch Report
The Dawsonville March 24th Launch Event started out with chilly temperatures and some light rain moving in and out of the area but ended up quite pleasant as the heavier clouds moved further north and the sun peeked out to warm up and moderate the winds. We had thirteen participants (including the rocketry group from Atlanta Classical Academy) accomplish thirty-two launches.
Although the day included a good number of mishaps (of the usual variety) like Scot Hooper’s scratch-built (from eight toilet paper rolls) experimental “Number Two” which didn’t come out well and required some cleanup on the field (we had plenty of fun word-play with this one).
There were many more thrilling successful flights to applaud including successfully recovered payloads of Nicolas’ dinosaur and another with Tim’s goldfish (crackers). Scot also got to launch his Mega Der Red Max (Old No. 7), that we saw at the last club meeting, with a G80 which took it far afield but was recovered successfully while Dylan Hooper got to launch his Estes Nike Smoke (The Bat) twice on F15-6s. The ACA teams were launching their DynaStar (Apogee) AeroDactyl TS two stage rockets on E16-0/F15-6 or E16-0/E16-6 for some great spectator excitement. Event Photos
Engine Ignition Counts:
A – 4
B – 5
C – 3
D – 4
E – 15
F – 8
G – 2
March 10th Mill Springs Launch Report
At the abbreviated March 10th Mill Springs launch event we had thirty-nine participants (including Scouts) who were able to quickly squeeze in eighty-five launches. Action was fast-paced and despite the shortened day we packed in more than enough excitement in the two-plus hours that would typically be found at any launch event.
Glenn Harper placed his LOC Graduator “Bad Penny” out on the pad loaded-up with a F67-9 and sent it roaring skyward. It came back, so he reloaded it with a G77 Red and launched it again, and well… Justin Moore had two successful launches of his Estes Trajector on a E20-4 and a third launch with a F15-8. D. Tripp sent his Estes Big Daddy up on a E15-4.
Some other remarkable flights included Ian Schlecht’s successful flight of his Estes two-stage Hyper Bat on a C6-0 / C6-5 that was recovered way downfield at the very edge. Jose Morales launched a spectacular flight of his SpaceX Falcon 9 with a D12-3, March Briner came out with a sleek Semroc Aerobee-Hi that was flown twice with a B6-4, and Jacob Schwartz had a thrilling flight of his FlisKits Tri-Glide that had all three gliders chasing each other in a beautiful spiraling glide pattern.
Then the forecasted rain finally arrived… Click here for a few pictures from the event.
Motor ignition counts:
- 1/4A – 2
- 1/2A – 2
- A – 11
- B – 39
- C – 22
- D – 5
- E – 4
- F – 2
- G – 1
February 24th Mill Springs Launch Report
On a record-breaking warm February afternoon at the Mill Springs launch event there were twenty-four participants who launched a total of seventy-eight rockets. Steady breezes from the south kept directing recoveries mostly down the length of the field, but as usual there were a few rockets that did not go home at the end of the day. Regardless of this challenge there were many great flights with successful recoveries that included two-stage and some mid-power launches.
Steve Bellio successfully launched and recovered his LOC EZI-65 on a G75-4M and sent up his Estes Partizon on an E40-4T and an Estes Mammoth on an E20-4W. Nicolas got to send up his two-stage Estes Loadstar twice with B6-0/B6-4 combinations and Andrew Chong launched an Estes Mongoose with a B6-0/A8-5. Some other impressive first flights included Izzy’s Estes Mosquito on a 1/4A3-3T (yes, it was recovered), Kate’s Estes Sky Writer on a A8-3, Roman’s Mercury Redstone on a C6-5 and Jacob’s Estes QCC Explorer powered by a D12-5.
We had many family members cheering those who were launching and other folks coming by just to check out the action while enjoying a warm Spring-like day. Event photos by Kevin Boyd
Motor Ignition Counts:
- 1/4A – 2
- 1/2A – 2
- A – 18
- B – 29
- C – 14
- D – 8
- E – 6
- F – 1
- G – 1
January Dawsonville Launch Report
Despite a weather forecast of afternoon rain, there were twelve eager participants who arrived at the launch site in Dawsonville to accomplish thirty-six launches. SoAR members were joined by a rocketry group from Atlanta Classical Academy who flew two-stage Dynastar AeroDactyl rockets on E16-0 / E16-6 combination with very impressive results. Other standouts included Kevin Scholberg’s scratch-built upscale Nike X powered by a two E12-4 cluster for a beautiful flight skyward and a salvaged Estes Photon Disruptor loaded with a D21-4T for a seemingly instantaneous apogee and then successfully recovered. Another multi-stage included Miles’ Estes Mini Comanche 3 on A10-0/A10-0/A10-3 and for impressive mid-power action Dan launched his LOC IRIS on a F37-6. Later in the afternoon, the increasing amount of precipitation falling from the sky (or was it the cows… it may have actually been the cows) brought the event to an early end. Photos from the Launch
Motor Ignition Counts:
- A – 3
- B – 8
- C – 9
- D – 5
- E – 13
- F – 4
December 16th Civil Air Patrol Cadet Launch Report
The Civil Air Patrol Cadet Launch event at Chattahoochee Pointe Park in Suwanee had twenty-six participants launch sixty-five rockets on a very comfortable December afternoon. The field dimensions were good for low-power, but a bit challenging for mid-power flights even with mild winds. Adjacent fields and many other open areas with smaller trees allowed some flexibility for recoveries.
Club members arrived early to try out the field and were soon joined by the Civil Air Patrol Cadets who had good success in launching their Alpha IIIs with B6-4s. David Cain got everyone’s attention by launching his Estes Mega Der Red Max on a G53-5J Smoke and Lee Childers sent up his Estes Goblin on an E9-8 then later on an E15-7 with streamer recovery and flew some of his helicopter recovery creations that are fun to watch. Kevin Scholberg’s Orange Web flown with an F15-0 performed very well as did his Estes Mammoth on a E16-4. Keith Frazier got all creative with a scratch-built No Name rocket that he flew multiple test flights, then loaded it with a cluster of B6-4 and two A10-0T motors.
The event wrapped up at 5:00 and the Cadets helped take down and pack-up the launch equipment. A few event photos here.
Motor Ignition Counts:
- A – 17
- B – 31
- C – 13
- D – 2
- E – 4
- F – 1
- G – 1
November 11th Mill Springs Launch Report
Before the Noon launch event began, Jorge setup and supported a special morning event for Cub Scout Pack 135, Roswell Georgia. The Pack launched seventy-four rockets into a chilly morning sky. By Noon as the Cub Scouts were wrapping up, our regular club members began arriving at the field and preparing their rockets. The day warmed up and the winds became varied from light to moderate and kept mostly directed down the length of the field. During the afternoon fourteen participants launched fifty-three rockets, spools, and spinners.
Lee Childers flew a unique Apogee Gyro Chaser that performed very well on multiple A10-3T flights and had a sleek scratch-built Mach1 that saw two launches on a C11-3 and one on a D12-5 all launched from a special built rail guide. Roy Green loaded-up the pads with very unique looking designs including Odd’l Rockets Pigasus, New Way’s Geometric, and FlisKits Praetor all powered by B4-2s. Dave dusted-off his Estes Vega from the 1970s and sent it up on a beautiful flight with a B6-4. Hunter successfully flew and retrieved a two stage Estes Solar Flare on a B6-0 booster and a A3-4T sustainer. Event Photos
Engine ignition counts (does not include Cub Scout launches):
1/2A – 3
A – 18
B – 20
C – 6
D – 4
E – 6
October 14th Mill Springs Launch Event Report
On a very comfortable Fall day there were thirty-four participants who came out to launch 109 rockets at the SoAR October 14th Mill Springs Launch Event. There was a steady pace of rockets being placed on the pads throughout the event and a very interesting variety of scale and sport models both large and teeny tiny as well as new and old.
Those who came out to watch the action got thrilled by Steve Bellio’s Estes Partizon roaring off the pad on a F44-4W and John Phelps Estes Mammoth powered by a E20-4. Kevin Scholberg’s Art Applewhite 10” Saucer on a F15-0 was another crowd pleaser as was the return of his 7.5 foot tall Estes Dude that went somewhat skyward somewhat sideward on a D12-3.
On a smaller note we had Justin Moore’s Estes Mosquito doing a disappearing act on a 1/2A3-4T, and even smaller were the tiny Micromax rockets that Kevin showcased. Ron Stancil brought out and flew a very nice selection of small scale models like the Edmonds Gemini, Mercury Redstone, and one beautiful flight of his scratch-built Little Joe on a B6-4. Ron also successfully flew and recovered an Estes Mini Comanche 3 on an A10-0T/A10-0T/A3-4T three stage boost. Another standout was John Lawrence’s Thrustline Arapahoe E that he flew on a C11-5.
The event also included a contest held by Coyote Rocketry (participants predicting altitudes for two launches of an Estes Photon Disruptor flown on a D21-4T).
Check out some of the action in these event photos.
Motor Ignition Count:
- Micromax – 1
- 1/4A – 2
- 1/2A – 2
- A – 22
- B – 30
- C – 33
- D – 11
- E – 11
- F – 3
September 23rd Dawsonville Launch Event Report
At SoAR’s first 2017 Fall launch in Dawsonville we had thirty-seven participants launch 112 rockets. Light easterly winds, a few puffy clouds, and summertime temperatures made for ideal conditions to encourage many to reach for the highest altitudes at our mid-power field. Bill provided and also setup a new sound system which proved to be very effective in keeping the participants and spectators well informed of all activities out on the pads.
Some of those soaring highest were Frank Patton’s Estes Ascender two stage flight powered by F15-0 to E8-7 combination, Kevin Scholberg’s Dee Dee Ramone launching with a D12-0 booster then sustained by a D12-7, Allison Cooksey launched a two stage Estes Flying Colors on a D12-0 to C6-7, and Bob Taylor also used this same combination for his Estes Firestorm.
From a craftsman perspective Monica flew her scratch-built and steampunked Steampipe successfully on a G77 and scratch built and battle-ready Suraco on a G79W. Lee Childers won a design contest with his outstanding recreation of the Estes Black Hole Space Probe that he flew on a C6-3. Joe Burley brought out a Mad Cow Cheese spool shaped vehicle and entertained us with a rare Estes Death Star that, by design, breaks apart at apogee.
Thanks to Coyote Rocketry who arrived to provide those most often needed supplies to keep rockets launching and rocketeers hydrated. At the end of the event a few rumbles of thunder in the mountains to the north accompanied the take-down crew and put a fitting end to a very successful launch event. Event Photos
Motor ignition counts:
- 1/2A – 1
- A – 9
- B – 9
- C – 31
- D – 14
- E – 27
- F – 16
- G – 9